WiredInUSA-December2015

INDEX

Improving power exchange

Solar hits the roof

Isolux Corsán, with its consortium partner Siemens, have received a contract to design, build and install HVDC equipment between Ethiopia and Kenya. The project will improve the exchange of energy between both countries, increasing power availability at both ends and improving the use of power generation resources in the area. The total value of the project, financed by the World Bank and the African Development Bank, is worth around $450 million. The order was placed by the Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation and the Kenya Electricity Transmission Co Ltd. The HVDC bipole will have a capacity of 2,000MW and will link two converter stations in Suswa (Kenya) and Sodo (Ethiopia) with a 1,000km DC power line. Siemens will supply the complete HVDC core technology, while Isolux Corsan will be responsible for the construction, installationandequipment in theconverter and AC substations. This new HVDC contract is Isolux Corsán’s first in Ethiopia, and reinforces its presence in Kenya. The project is scheduled to go into operation by the end of 2018.

Tata Steel has plans to create one of the world’s largest roof-based solar energy projects. Working with Pure Energie, Tata Steel will mount 80,000 solar panels on the factory roofs at its IJmuiden, Netherlands steelworks – an area equivalent to 40 football pitches. The project will have a 22MW capacity. Hans Fischer, chief technical officer of Tata Steel’s European operations, said: “This project will further minimize our carbon footprint. Since 1990 we have reduced the amount of energy needed to produce steel by more than 30 percent at our IJmuiden site, which is already one of the world’s most energy-efficient steel plants.” Tata Power Solar is in discussions to supply the solar panels in what would be its biggest international project. Pure Energie will fund thedevelopment, whichwill begin in spring 2016 and is expected to take two years to complete. The generated energy will be used in steel manufacturing processes.

wiredInUSA - December 2015

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